Salute to Service Award

The Salute to Service Award presented by USAA was created to acknowledge the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans and their families.
USAA and the NFL presented Tampa Buccaneers Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson with the 2015 Salute to Service Award at the 5th Annual NFL Honors awards ceremony in the Bay Area on Saturday, February 6th. Click below to learn more about Vincent's work in the military community and view this year's 2016 Salute to Service Award nominees.

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In honor of Veterans Day, for every point scored during the NFL’s Salute to Service games, the league will donate $1,000 to its three core non-profit partners: USO, Pat Tillman Foundation, and Wounded Warrior Project.

NFL and the Armed Forces

Supporting the military is part of the fabric of the NFL. This support takes place both at home and abroad, with NFL players and coaches traveling overseas to salute the troops, as well as with team recognition of our servicemen and women through the Salute to Service campaign.

Through its long standing partnerships and support from our 32 teams, the NFL takes pride in supporting military personnel and remains committed to raising awareness for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. All proceeds from the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign are donated to the NFL’s military non-profit partners including: USO, Pat Tillman Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

See below for more information on the NFL’s military non-profit partners:

The USO and NFL joined together 50 years ago to support America's fighting forces around the world. The NFL and its players are frequent visitors to combat zones supporting the U.S. military and USO. From airport lounges to overseas USO tours, the NFL has been a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform and continue strengthening that support with a new commitment of $5 million in programs over the next three years.

The NFL partnered with the Pat Tillman Foundation in 2010 to honor individuals who exemplifies Pat’s, former Arizona Cardinal and U.S. Army Ranger, enduring legacy of service. The Tillman Scholars program provides financial scholarships to cover tuition and fees for veterans, those currently serving and their spouses. With the NFL’s financial support, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested more than $14 million in academic support and scholarships, and named over 460 Tillman Scholars throughout 100 universities nationwide. This year’s class will receive more than $1.8 million in scholarships to pursue their educational dreams and help make a difference in this world.

Since 2013, the NFL has contributed nearly $2 million to fuel Wounded Warrior Program health and wellness expos with additional support from all 32 clubs. The NFL takes pride in supporting efforts committed to raising awareness for the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make on behalf of the American people. Together with the WWP, the NFL helps to bridge the gap with continued care for more than 2,500 combat veterans annually. Investing in such a dynamic program like WWP assists veterans in overcoming combat stress and suicidal episodes, reducing mental health stigmas, education and quality care; then empower warriors through Project Odyssey, a multi-day rehabilitative event that is positively changing lives.

USAA Supports Salute to Service

Since 2011, USAA has served as the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL. Together, USAA and the NFL seek to elevate military appreciation across the league among players, teams, and fans through the NFL Salute to Service initiative. USAA annually works with several NFL teams during the NFL Salute to Service campaign to honor the men and women who have served and currently serve in the U.S. military by conducting base visits, hosting military at training camps, hosting thousands of military at Salute to Service games, conducting in-stadium card stunts, and enlisting NFL fans to demonstrate their appreciation by participating in the Salute to Service conversation. You can share your military appreciation by posting a 'thank you' message to someone who has served by including #SaluteToService in your social post. Visit SaluteToService.com to see how USAA honors the military.

OVERVIEW OF THE NFL'S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE USO, PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION, AND WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT:

The NFL does not profit from the sale or auction of Salute to Service - identified merchandise. In 2015, the NFL donated more than $4.5 million to its military non-profit partners, designated by the NFL. This year, funds will be raised through two primary channels: NFL Auction and the sale of Salute to Service- identified merchandise at retail.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
NFL Auction: 100% of proceeds from Salute to Service products auctioned on NFL Auction go directly to the NFL’s military non-profit partners.

At Retail: 100% of the NFL’s proceeds from Salute to Service product sales go to the NFL’s military non-profit partners.

BACKGROUND ON RETAIL/LICENSED PRODUCT:
All NFL Salute to Service product is produced by official NFL licensees. As NFL licensees, such companies pay a royalty (% of wholesale sales) to the NFL when selling officially licensed products to retailers worldwide. The NFL receives payment of that wholesale royalty once licensees sell their respective NFL licensed products to distributors and retailers (i.e., the royalty is not based on retailers' consumer-facing prices in-store or online).

The NFL does not retain any profits generated by royalties received due to the sale of Salute to Service products. All dollars are donated to the NFL's military non-profit partners, designated by the NFL in its sole discretion each season.